The Grammar of Society : The Nature and Dynamics of Social Norms

In The Grammar of Society, first published in 2006, Cristina Bicchieri examines social norms, such as fairness, cooperation, and reciprocity, in an effort to understand their nature and dynamics, the expectations that they generate, and how they evolve and change. Drawing on several intellectual traditions and methods, including those of social psychology, experimental economics and evolutionary game theory, Bicchieri provides an integrated account of how social norms emerge, why and when we follow them, and the situations where we are most likely to focus on relevant norms. Examining the existence and survival of inefficient norms, she demonstrates how norms evolve in ways that depend upon the psychological dispositions of the individual and how such dispositions may impair social efficiency. By contrast, she also shows how certain psychological propensities may naturally lead individuals to evolve fairness norms that closely resemble those we follow in most modern societies Provided by publisher In The Grammar of Society, Cristina Bicchieri examines social norms, such as fairness, cooperation, and reciprocity, in an effort to understand their nature and dynamics, the expectations that they generate, and how they evolve and change. Drawing on several intellectual traditions and methods, including those of social psychology, experimental economics, and evolutionary game theory, Bicchieri provides an integrated account of how social norms emerge, why and when we follow them, and the situations in which we are most likely to focus on relevant norms. Examining the existence and survival of inefficient norms, she demonstrates how norms evolve in ways that depend on the psychological dispositions of the individual and how such dispositions may impair collective welfare. By contrast, she also shows how certain psychological propensities may naturally lead individuals to evolve fairness norms that closely resemble those we follow in modern societies. In The Grammar Of Society, Cristina Bicchieri Examines Social Norms, Such As Fairness, Cooperation, And Reciprocity, In An Effort To Understand Their Nature And Dynamics, The Expectations That They Generate, And How They Evolve And Change. Drawing On Several Intellectual Traditions And Methods, Including Those Of Social Psychology, Experimental Economics, And Evolutionary Game Theory, Bicchieri Provides An Integrated Account Of How Social Norms Emerge, Why And When We Follow Them, And The Situations In Which We Are Most Likely To Focus On Relevant Norms.--jacket. The Rules We Live By -- Habits Of The Mind -- A Taste For Fairness -- Covenants Without Sword -- Informational Cascades And Unpopular Norms -- The Evolution Of A Fairness Norm. Cristina Bicchieri. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 235-244) And Index. Cristina Bicchieri examines social norms, such as fairness, cooperation, and reciprocity, in an effort to understand their nature and dynamics, generated expectations and evolution and change. Drawing on intellectual traditions and methods, including those of social psychology, experimental economics and evolutionary game theory, Bicchieri provides an integrated account of how social norms emerge and why and when we follow them. Examining the existence and survival of inefficient norms, she demonstrates how norms evolve in ways that depend upon the psychological dispositions of the individual and how such dispositions may impair social efficiency. In The Grammar of Society, Cristina Bicchieri examines social norms, such as fairness, cooperation, and reciprocity, in an effort to understand their nature and dynamics, the expectations that they generate, and how they evolve and change. Bicchieri draws on intellectual traditions of social psychology, experimental economics and evolutionary game theory 1. The rule we live by 2. Habits of the mind 3. A taste for fairness 4. Covenants without sword 5. Informational cascades and unpopular norms 6. The evolution of a fairness norm.